Senate GOP Bets On Ex-Sports Broadcaster To Flip Minnesota — Local Republicans Aren’t Buying It

Former NFL sideline reporter Michele Tafoya’s bid for Senate in Minnesota is getting a big boost from the Republican establishment while local party activists bristle at national leadership for ignoring their concerns about Tafoya’s political history.

Tafoya entered the race Jan. 21, vowing to help expand Senate Republicans’ majority in the 2026 midterms and positioning herself as a “political outsider” as she seeks to compete for Democratic Sen. Tina Smith’s open Minnesota seat. She quickly earned the backing of the Senate Republicans’ campaign finance arm, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).

However, Tafoya’s campaign has been met with skepticism from some Minnesota Republicans who feel the former sportscaster was foisted on them without serious consideration of her past anti-Trump and pro-choice comments. (RELATED: Michele Tafoya Enters ‘Wide Open’ Senate Race Vowing To Clean Up Minnesota’s Fraud Fiasco)

Tafoya published an open letter to then-former President Donald Trump in a 2022 Substack post in which she argued he shouldn’t run for office again. She claimed the party needed a candidate “without the baggage,” and urged Trump to play the role of “kingmaker” in choosing his successor.

Tafoya addressed the post in an appearance on Fox News’ Gutfeld shortly before announcing her campaign, saying, “I had my own little Trump protest back in 2022.” Tafoya admitted she was “clearly” wrong, explaining that “only a nontraditional, disruptive candidate like Donald Trump could achieve all the things he has achieved.”

Tafoya later said in her campaign announcement interview with OutKick’s Tomi Lahren that she would be “honored” to receive Trump’s endorsement.

Critics, however, wonder if her evolution is sincere or politically calculated.

Mary Amlaw, a member of Trump Force 47 and longtime GOP activist, said she fears Tafoya is not a “uniter” because of her changing positions.

“She was against Trump, having asked him not to run for president. Now she has recanted her position and the timing of her recent statements is suspiciously politically timed,” Amlaw told the Daily Caller. “As she flip-flops she will be like every other politician. I just don’t see her as the uniter Republicans need.”

Although Tafoya has recanted her statements about Trump, she has doubled down on her opposition to restrictions on abortion.

Republican Minnesota State Sen. Nate Wessenberg expressed concerns over Tafoya calling herself a “pro-choice Republican,” and the immediate backing she has received from organizations like the D.C.-based NRSC.

“People here are not pro-abortion, so they don’t like that stance at all. But then having the National Republican Committee get behind her immediately is alarming to me,” Wessenberg told the Caller, adding that he fears she will be a “shill” that pushes whatever she wants without concern for Minnesotans.

“I don’t want someone who is, you know, just gonna be bought and paid for,” Wessenberg said.

Even amid the worry from some local Republicans, Tafoya has argued that Minnesota’s massive welfare fraud scandal gives Republicans an offensive opportunity for a seat that generally leans Democratic in federal elections. She has also still drawn support from other notable Republican figures.

Dustin Grage, a Minnesota Republican activist, endorsed Tafoya and confirmed that he donated to her campaign. In announcing his support, Grage wrote, “I haven’t endorsed a single statewide candidate in Minnesota until now. Michele Tafoya is the first. Just donated to her campaign. If you want real leadership, I encourage you to do the same.”

Several political media figures have publicly voiced support for Tafoya following her announcement. Among them are OutKick founder and CEO Clay Travis and Ruthless podcast host and Minnesota native Josh Holmes — both of whom posted messages backing her on X — and women’s sports activist Riley Gaines, who featured Tafoya as a guest on her podcast shortly after she entered the race.

In response to concerns from members in the state over Tafoya’s candidacy, an NRSC spokesperson said that Tafoya is the GOP’s best shot at preventing another Democrat from replacing Sen. Tina Smith, who is retiring at the end of her term.

“Michele Tafoya is the most conservative, pro-Trump candidate in this race. Without her as the nominee, Minnesota is simply not on the map and the state’s next Senator will be a lunatic liberal like Peggy Flanagan or Angie Craig,” the NRSC spokesperson said in a statement to the Caller.

The Republican Party of Minnesota welcomed Tafoya to the race in a Facebook post, highlighting what it described as growing Republican momentum.

The party said the race would give Minnesotans “a clear choice and a robust exchange of ideas,” urging grassroots Republicans to participate in precinct caucuses ahead of what it described as a “spirited and lively” caucus and convention season.

Some commenters, however, characterized the post as a non-endorsement endorsement. Several other Republican Minnesota Senate candidates, including former professional basketball player Royce White — who ran as the party’s nominee in 2024 against Sen. Amy Klobuchar — and former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze, entered the race prior to Tafoya but did not receive the same public welcome from the Minnesota Republican Party.

Amlaw argued Tafoya has yet to do groundwork to earn locals’ support and highlighted the timing of her run in relation to the current political climate in the state.

“I don’t believe Michelle Tafoya really wants to be running for the U.S. Senate and she is not the Republican candidate we need. Having to be prodded to enter the race and insulting those of us who are pro-life, she may be just another hand-picked late entry Republican from Washington, DC,” Amlaw said. “She has not been on the ground as a seriously committed candidate to speak to constituents and to work hard to EARN their support.” (RELATED: Top Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar Launches Bid To Replace Tim Walz)

Minnesota is unique in using a multi-level caucus-and-convention endorsement system that carries significant weight. It is one of the few states where party endorsements are determined by grassroots delegates elected at precinct caucuses rather than by party elites, according to a Minnesota Star Tribune report.

Those delegates advance to local, congressional, and state conventions, where candidates compete for the party’s endorsement by securing at least 60% of the vote. While not legally binding, the endorsement is highly influential, giving candidates stronger grassroots support, volunteer networks, and access to party infrastructure.

This process makes support from local activists far more important than it would be in other states’ primaries. (RELATED: Former NFL Sideline Reporter Michele Tafoya Says It Breaks Her Heart Her ‘Kids Are Being Taught That Skin Color Matters’)

Schwarze weighed in on Tafoya’s decision to jump in the race, suggesting it was “opportunistic,” and echoed broader concerns about the crowded GOP field.

“We had five candidates that were working hard, and all of a sudden we have 14 governor candidates. ‘e had two candidates for the U.S. Senate — now we have 10 candidates for the U.S. Senate. People are opportunistic, but again, I’m excited for the process as we play it out,” Schwarze said. “We’re not Democrats, but the real headline should be that whoever gets endorsed is going to win that primary, and I’m very confident in the work that I’ve done and the money that I’ve raised.”

Tafoya’s campaign manager, Christine Snell, said her candidate’s fundraising success, including thousands of donations from Minnesotans, is proof that she has the backing of everyday Republicans in the state.

For years, I walked the sidelines when the stakes were the highest, and that job taught me how leadership really works.

I’m running for U.S. Senate to bring that experience to Washington and deliver the real results Minnesota deserves. pic.twitter.com/vDbHWpAXg9

— Michele Tafoya (@Michele_Tafoya) January 21, 2026

“Since her announcement, Michele has raised over half a million dollars with an average donation of $51 from 10,000 individuals, including thousands of Minnesotans,” Snell told the Caller. “She has spoken with dozens of grassroots leaders and is prepared to crisscross the state letting voters know she is ready to stop the failed leadership that for too long has left Minnesota behind.”